INVEST IN SCOTLAND’S FUTURE BOTH VOTES LABOUR THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 1 BOTH VOTES LABOUR 4 - 5 A Letter from Kez

6 - 7 The Big Choice

8 - 11 Executive Summary

12 - 19 Different Economic Choices

20 - 27 Investing in Tomorrow’s Scotland

28 - 39 A Fairer, More Equal Scotland

40 - 45 Stronger and More Resilient Communities

46 - 51 A More Sustainable Scotland

52 - 59 A Just, Safe and Secure Scotland Faced with the choice between using the powers of the Scottish Parliament or carrying on with more cuts to schools, the NHS 60 - 63 A New Democracy and a New Politics and other public services, Labour will use the powers to stop the cuts, invest in Scotland’s future and grow the economy. 64 - 65 Acknowledgements So we make this simple anti-austerity pledge to the people of Scotland – a Labour Government will increase spending on our public services in real terms and stop the cuts to schools and other vital public services. CONTENTS We want to create a Scotland where it is a young person’s potential, ambition and work rate that determine how far they get on in life - not where they were born. Only by investing in education and our vital public services can we make that Scotland a reality.

Labour is ambitious for Scotland. We are focused on using the powers of our Scottish Parliament to invest in the future, rather than re-running the old arguments of the past. The Scottish people deserve nothing less.

Our leaders must look beyond the next election to what is in the best interests of the future of our country. That means we must make the choice to stop the cuts to education, cuts that risk undermining the future of our young people and our economy. If we don’t invest in education and give every young person the skills they need to get on in life, then the world will simply pass us by. The high-tech, high-paid jobs of the future will go to other countries like China or India.

This election is about which party is willing to use the new powers of the Scottish Parliament to stop the cuts and invest in the future. We can end austerity in Scotland if we are bold enough to make difficult choices. Labour will do that.

George Osborne’s austerity agenda isn’t right for Scotland. Cutting the public services that we all rely on is the wrong choice for our country. Because of the new powers that are coming to Scotland we can choose a different path. The Scottish Parliament doesn’t have to be a conveyor belt for Tory cuts.

The central issue of the election is this: faced with the choice between using the powers of the Scottish Parliament to invest in the future or carrying on with the cuts, Labour will use the powers to stop the cuts.

We will use the new tax powers to ensure those at the top of society pay their fair share, including a 50p top rate of tax on the richest 1%, so we can stop the cuts and invest in public services. These different choices mean we can make this anti-austerity pledge to the people of Scotland – spending on public services will rise in real terms.

Only by using both your votes for Labour can we stop the cuts and invest in the future of our economy.

KEZIA DUGDALE SCOTTISH LABOUR LEADER

4 THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 5 THE BIG CHOICE

This election is different from any previous Scottish Parliament election. The people we elect will have more power than ever before, especially over how we raise and spend money.

The Tory government is continuing with its political choice of austerity. This means that CONSERATIE big cuts are heading towards Scotland in the next few years. However, the new powers PLAN of the Scottish Parliament mean we don’t need to accept austerity as inevitable. 0 etra raised Over billion This presents Scotland with a new choice. Will our votes elect people who will use the for publi of uts by 2020 new powers of our Scottish Parliament, or will they simply act as a conveyer belt for servies cuts?

Now that all the other main parties have set out their plans we can see where everyone stands on their willingness to use the powers to protect the things we value.

We can see that the difference between Labour’s plans and another SNP majority government is a cumulative £3 billion of cuts. These are cuts that we do not need to make. SNP PLAN Only 00 million raised for publi servies The independent experts at IPPR Scotland also compared the parties’ spending plans after utting hundreds billion and found that we had been cautious in our estimates above. They found that the of millions in the last of uts by 2020 difference between Labour and SNP plans was nearly £1 billion of cuts a year by the budget end of the next Parliament.

It is clear that only Labour offers an alternative to austerity at this election.

We know good public services benefit everyone. Our pledge to increase spending on public services in real terms underpins every promise made in this manifesto. The failure of other parties to match this pledge undermines every promise in their manifesto – it simply isn’t credible to promise more while accepting billions of pounds LABOUR of extra austerity. PLAN 1.2 billion etra Spending on publi Because Labour are being honest about how we will pay for our promises, you raised a year for servies inreasing know we can afford to keep our promises. publi servies rather than uts

Sources: IPPR Scotland on revenues raised. Scottish Labour analysis on cuts.

6 THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 THE BIG CHOICE 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Labour Government will stop the cuts to public services. Because of the different, fairer The council tax is unfair and out of date so Labour will scrap it. We will introduce a fairer decisions we will take on tax, we can make this anti-austerity pledge: with Labour, spending on public system which will mean 80% of households in Scotland will pay less than they do today. We will services in Scotland will increase in real terms. The new powers of the Scottish Parliament mean we maintain all current exemptions, including those for pensioners, students and single people. The SNP can choose a different path from Tory austerity. There is nothing inevitable about cuts. Labour will have promised to scrap the council tax in every election since 2003 – Labour will deliver on the SNP’s stop the Tory cuts that are coming. broken promise.

Because we are using the powers of the Scottish Parliament we can make our important Investing in education is our most important economic policy. To give every young person anti-austerity pledge. We will ask some to pay a little bit more, by setting the basic and higher rates a chance in life we need to invest in our nurseries and schools, our colleges and universities. We of income tax just 1p higher than the rate set by George Osborne, and not giving better-off people will protect education spending in real terms so we can invest in the future of our country and give a tax cut. We can make this absolute guarantee though: nobody earning less than £20,000 a year, everybody the skills they need to compete for the jobs of the future. The richest 1% will have to pay a including pensioners, will pay a single penny more than they do today. In fact, many people will be bit more so that we can establish a Fair Start Fund to give nursery and primary head teachers direct better off under our overall tax plans. control over more resources. Businesses tell us their number one priority is skills, and we will deliver on that for our economy. Given the recent shock at revelations about how the rich and powerful have avoided tax for years, we believe it’s time for the top 1% in society to pay their fair share. So Labour will Investing in good, affordable and flexible childcare is essential to growing our economy. reverse George Osborne’s tax cut for the richest few and set a 50p top rate of tax for those earning The more parents, especially women, who can be helped back into the workforce, the more taxes over £150,000 a year. We will use this money to stop the cuts and invest in public services. And we will be paid into the public purse and the more our economy will grow. Everybody benefits from will take a different approach towards those companies and individuals at the top who avoid paying affordable and flexible childcare, particularly the children involved. Labour will give every primary their fair share. school the opportunity to establish a breakfast club. By stopping the cuts to schools and other vital services we can protect the summer schools and after-school clubs that so many parents rely on for their children.

THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 OUR PLEDGESTHE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 Labour created the NHS. It’s our proudest achievement and we will protect it for the Everybody deserves to have a place they are proud to call home. We will end the housing crisis future. We are committed to keeping it in public hands and free at the point of delivery. Because we that has developed under the SNP. That means helping first-time buyers to save for a deposit and would use the new powers of the Scottish Parliament we can increase spending on public services tackling rip-off rent rises. We will also build 60,000 affordable homes, three quarters of which will be in real terms, which means we can afford to promise to protect the NHS budget. We will also spend available for rent by councils, housing associations and co-operatives. an increasing NHS budget better so our health service is fit for the future. The biggest challenge for our health service is tackling inequality. It is simply wrong that someone born in a deprived area of We know safety and security today underpin everything else we achieve. We want a police Scotland will die years earlier than someone in an affluent area. So Labour will stop the cuts that do force people respect and trust and which is visible in our communities, keeping us safe. Labour will so much to perpetuate inequality in our society. We will target investment to relieve pressure and implement the recommendations of the Pearson Review into policing in Scotland, including giving cost on the wider NHS by guaranteeing an appointment at a GP surgery within 48 hours and a social more power back to local communities. care package within a week. We will also cut cancer waiting times. We know our climate and environment are central to the wellbeing of people. We can’t meet For our economy to grow we need to make Scotland an attractive place to do business. our climate change targets and dig yet another fossil fuel from the ground at the same time, so we will By investing in education we can develop a skilled workforce ready to compete with the other ban fracking in Scotland — no ifs, no buts, no fracking. nations of the world for the jobs of the future. We will also invest in our nation’s physical and digital infrastructure, so that home-grown businesses can develop and thrive. We are committed to fair Scotland’s pensioners deserve to be able to enjoy their retirement with dignity and respect. work and working in partnership with trade unions to improve terms and conditions, and productivity. Having paid into the system all their lives our older people deserve to be supported. Our promise to Our commitment to remain in both the UK and European Unions, which are so important for our increase spending on public services means we can protect free bus passes, free personal care, the economy, provides the certainty business needs. We must move on from the arguments of the past to Winter Fuel Payment and all the other services older people rely on. We will use the new powers of provide business with stability for the future. the Scottish Parliament to ensure that women born between 1951 and 1953 receive the same level of State Pension as men. And we will introduce a Warm Homes Act to tackle fuel poverty.

OURTHE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 PLEDGES THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 DIFFERENT ECONOMIC CHOICES

For Scotland to flourish we need to use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to make different choices and stop the cuts.

Our anti-austerity pledge is to create fairness and that means spending on public services will rise in real terms.

Fairness means setting a higher 50p rate for the top 1%, who earn over £150,000 a year, and investing 50 that in schools.

Anti-austerity means setting the basic and higher rates of income tax just 1p higher than that 1 of George Osborne to stop the cuts and make public services better.

Scotland’s future requires a dynamic economy that is equipped to compete in the globalised world where Scotland is open for business — unleashing the potential and promise of all.

Scrap the unfair council tax and leave 80% of households better off.

Stopping the cuts and public services will rise in real unless our alternative plan is investing in Scotland’s terms through to the next followed. Independent analysis future General Election, Labour will by IPPR Scotland suggests the legislate to mandate the new difference between the SNP Faced with the choice between Scottish Fiscal Commission to plans and Labour is nearly a using the powers of the report on compliance with this billion pounds a year. That Scottish Parliament to invest in principle. A new responsibility means investment in education the economy or making cuts will require the Commission to to secure our nation’s future to Scotland’s future, Labour report on the future economic prosperity with Labour. COLIN CUTHBERT will use the powers to stop the impact of any cuts being made cuts. by the Scottish Government. Public anger at the recently FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND FAIR WORK leaked Panama Papers showed By making fairer choices on Our analysis shows this will that it’s one rule for the richest “The way to grow our economy and support businesses isn’t to cut. We need to invest. Above all else we need to invest in tax and asking the richest 1% prevent a cumulative £3 billion at the top and another rule the skills of our people, so that as many as possible can compete for the jobs of the future. For businesses to thrive we to pay their fair share, we can of unnecessary cuts and protect for the rest of us. That has to need a growing economy — the way to achieve that is to invest in it.” pledge to increase investment education and vital public change. Labour will reverse in our public services. To services. This is a conservative George Osborne’s tax cut for Colin is a business owner in Edinburgh, with over 30 years of experience in technical theatre. guarantee that spending on estimate of the cuts to come the top 1% and ask those

12 DIFFERENT ECONOMIC CHOICES DIFFERENT ECONOMIC CHOICES 13 changes. New technology will will legislate to ensure that long term, to develop and earning more than £150,000 a tax a lot of people on low As an example of how much change the jobs and careers we government contracts are only reinforce local economies, and year to pay a little more, with a incomes will be better off. better off someone will be all have. Our future depends awarded to companies who to reform our approach to 50p top rate of tax so we can under Labour’s choices: on education, innovation and treat their workers fairly, don’t supporting economic growth invest in our schools. Labour has no plans to change skills. There is no future for the participate in blacklisting or so we are better resourced and the rates and bands for Land A person earning £14,000 Scottish economy in competing other discriminatory practices, structured to shape the market We will set the basic and and Buildings Transaction Tax a year, living in Dundee and on low skill, low-wage jobs. pay their workers at least the for the benefit of all, not just higher rates of income tax just (LBTT). paying band A council tax will real living wage and pay their the few. one penny higher than the be £204 better off - and that is Scotland is well placed to fair share of tax. We will use rate set by George Osborne, It is the wrong priority to be before taking into account the embrace and benefit from the procurement process to We will develop and boost the which will stop the cuts to halving and then abolishing impact of extra charges and these changes, but we need to tackle aggressive tax avoidance. role of the Scottish Investment schools and other vital public Air Passenger Duty (APD) at a loss of services under the SNP’s adapt. We need education and We will join up procurement, Bank – strengthening its capital services. We reject the Tories’ time when our public services cuts or the impact of the Tories’ training in our universities and with local supply chains, to support new thinking and plan to increase the threshold are being cut so deeply. cuts and stealth taxes. colleges that compete with the including our manufacturing invest in Scottish industry, for higher-rate tax, and the This is socially unjust and best in the world — and not base, to boost employment business, and the green and SNP’s proposals to give higher environmentally reckless. It We will ask the very wealthiest just for a few but for everyone. and investment in the Scottish high-tech industries of the earners a tax cut. These choices would cut hundreds of millions to pay a bit more to protect We need infrastructure to economy. future. cannot be justified at a time every year from the Scottish our public services. Because of connect our cities to the world when cuts are still hurting so Government’s budget. Instead the fairer choices of a Labour and we need government that We will establish a Living We will, as an early priority, many, when we must invest in we will use those funds to help Government, everyone will enables business to create jobs, Wage Commission tasked publish a long-term strategy the future. So we will reverse first-time buyers; those young benefit from improved public not hold them back. And we with making Scotland a Living for manufacturing in Scotland. George Osborne’s tax cut to people struggling to do what services and a more dynamic need a Scottish Government Wage nation and to end the The recent challenges faced by the higher rate for better-off previous generations took for economy that will come from with a plan for jobs and use of exploitative zero-hours the steel industry in Scotland people, setting the threshold at granted and get their first step protecting schools, colleges and economic development in place contracts. show the need for a long-term £42,385. on the housing ladder. This will universities from further cuts. of one that sits back and leaves economic plan, rather than all cost significantly less than the it to the market. Labour values businesses the energies of government Labour will scrap the unfair SNP’s planned tax cut for the Building the businesses and we will work strategically being devoted to intervening council tax and replace it with a richest few. of the future For young people joining the with them to create wealth for when a crisis occurs. fairer system based on property world of work today, too many Scotland. Labour is committed We will work to secure the long- values. This new system will We reject the dishonesty of the Labour is the party of work jobs are low-paid and insecure, to ensuring that the power of term future of Scotland’s steel mean 80% of households will Conservatives in introducing a and fairness at work, but above many on zero-hours contracts. government helps, rather than industry. pay less than they do today. All raft of stealth taxes by bringing all opportunity through work. The challenge to our jobs from constrains, good business. Our existing exemptions – including back prescription charges and That’s why we will make jobs technology and from global plan for business is built on Productivity in Scotland lags those for pensioners, single tuition fees. Labour’s priority in government. forces is huge. There are a four core ideas: behind the UK and the UK lags people and students – will We all know that decent, billion people around the world • Increased productivity behind the best in Europe. remain. By making these fairer choices, secure, well-paid, satisfying prepared to compete for low- • Better connectivity Tackling the productivity gap Labour will guarantee that work that uses people’s talents paid, low-skill work. We have to • Simplicity needs investment in education Under our income tax plans no overall spending on public properly is the route to a strong compete for high-wage, high- • Certainty and skills, investment in one earning less than £20,000 services – including specifically economy as well as to a good skill jobs. This is a challenge production, business practice a year – including pensioners on our NHS, education, culture life for each of us. We are that will only increase in the At the heart of this is and investment in science, – will pay a single penny more and policing – will rise in real committed to full employment future. investment. We commit research and collaboration. A than they do now. And because terms. as an economic and social goal. Government can set an ourselves to invest in skills Scottish Labour Government of our plan to scrap the council The future will mean big example on good work, so we and infrastructure over the will set the framework

14 DIFFERENT ECONOMIC CHOICES DIFFERENT ECONOMIC CHOICES 15 for a significant advance in workers fairly or pay their fair higher standards and a better • We will continue and build productivity. share of taxes, we will work with client experience for Scots and on support for women businesses to develop clear Scottish business when they entrepreneurs. We will undertake a thorough opportunities for exporting interact with government. We • Help social entrepreneurs review of non-domestic rates and attracting investment to will also guarantee quality and by promoting social to make the system more Scotland. timeliness in the delivery of enterprise, encouraging co- transparent, predictable and services. operatives and other forms streamlined, including mandatory The internet and new of mutual ownership. revaluation every three years. technology are making business To help entrepreneurs we will: more efficient, providing • Work with business and We will invest in creating and We will preserve the exemption access to new markets and entrepreneurial centres to supporting connectivity hubs for small businesses and explore improving collaboration. But create a network of hubs in our major cities, where the the case for extension to locally with connection rates at 75%, run by entrepreneurs to high-tech companies of the important social enterprises Scotland lags behind the rest of create a world class platform future can grow and thrive with and community organisations the UK. for the jobs of the future. ultrafast broadband and strong such as small local and regional • Have a minister for micro links to our universities and newspapers, and worker co- We will make the provision businesses, small businesses research. operatives. We will monitor the of superfast broadband, in and entrepreneurs. effectiveness of the scheme to islands and rural areas as well • Consult with education To make sure the benefits of ensure it provides good value for as towns and cities, a national leaders, the Prince’s Trust the connectivity revolution are taxpayers’ money. We will invest infrastructure priority. We will and the co-operative spread fairly we will create in Co-operative Development invest £500 million over the movement, to explore how an innovation fund that will Scotland and encourage the lifetime of the next Parliament. entrepreneurship can be improve mobile coverage, and development of co-operatives. We will establish ultrafast built into the curriculum we will invest £50 million to broadband zones for digital in order to create a nation tackle the gap in digital skills We will also support and develop and creative industries with of confident, articulate, in the workplace and in our remaining City Deals across the speeds of 1GB/s. As a result, and innovative future communities. country, but we will not forget no business in Scotland will go entrepreneurs. the need for a strategy for town without access to a 10MB/s • Create a new We will create a new agency, centres. broadband connection. Entrepreneurial EDGE Skills Scotland, with a clear fund called Regional EDGE focus on building the skills Inward investment can be We will introduce a Digital to take support closer communities need, whether a beneficial part of a broad Services Bill, making us a to local communities, as people are just joining the economic development and world leader in e-government, well as Female EDGE and workforce or looking to develop growth strategy for Scotland. simplifying the relationship a Disabled EDGE to help their skills and careers. It will Too often, though, this has been between government and entrepreneurial activities in bring together the relevant a sector with more ministerial business and boosting Scottish these groups. powers and resources of photo opportunities than quality IT businesses. In a digital era, • Act on late payments by Skills Development Scotland, jobs. Within the constraints of Scots have high standards suppliers and ensure Scottish Enterprise and the our commitment never to spend for the service they receive. the Scottish Government Work Programme, with the public funds with companies Dealing with the government routinely pays invoices apprenticeship levy and further which don’t treat or pay their should be no exception. A within 2 weeks. education colleges. Labour Government will ensure

16 THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 We will help those furthest workers, for example retail or people in the country. We from the labour market with transport staff. Scottish Labour will work with bodies like the specialist support programmes, remains committed to taking Scottish Retail Consortium to including the implementation of steps to ensure that large bring forward a sustainable the Commission for Developing retail stores are closed on New retail strategy that helps to Scotland’s Young Workforce, Year’s Day and will undertake grow the sector. to ensure that young, the necessary research and disadvantaged and disabled economic impact studies prior We will continue to oppose people who want to work get to implementing the Christmas the Trade Union Bill and to more tailored help. Day and New Year’s Day Trading celebrate the role of trade (Scotland) Act in full. unions in bringing employees to We will set up new Strategic work together for better wages, Sectoral Forums, for new We will continue to support the better terms and conditions, industries as well as old, North Sea oil and gas industry improving productivity and covering strategically as it reacts to the challenges tackling wage inequality. important sectors such as of low oil prices. We will We will not comply with the food and drink, manufacturing, continue to argue for a fiscal implementation of this unfair energy, life sciences, financial environment that encourages piece of legislation. We will services, tourism and creative investment and protects jobs. bring forward a Work and industries. Sectoral forums We also continue to support Trades Unions Bill which, in will bring together employers, temporary public investment in addition to creating Skills government, trade unions and assets that otherwise might be Scotland, will offer a positive other stakeholders. We will prematurely decommissioned. vision of the role of unions charge them to work together in boosting productivity and to improve productivity, However, even in normal delivering better workplaces. procurement, investment, market conditions competitiveness, skills and decommissioning is an area of We will keep Scottish Water in delivery of apprenticeships. huge economic potential for public hands. Scotland. There has been little Labour will lead the way on effort by government to ensure sectoral bargaining in areas the jobs that will be created where government spending through huge decommissioning can influence, for example in projects come to ports on the the care sector. east coast of Scotland. We will make that effort. All people who work directly with the public deserve We recognise the value of proper protection from retail services to the Scottish assault whilst at work. Scottish economy, and in particular Labour will change the law to to our major cities. Retail is a introduce tougher sentences significant employer, providing for assaulting public facing jobs to more than 250,000

DIFFERENT ECONOMIC CHOICES PROSPERITYTHE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 18 19 INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND

Education is the greatest investment we can make for the future so we will stop the slashing of education funding and protect spending in real terms.

Create a Fair Start Fund to give nursery and primary head teachers more money to help ensure all children get a good education.

We will begin the roll-out of breakfast clubs to every school.

Bridge the gap between the richest and the rest in our classrooms.

Keep university tuition fees free and reverse cuts to student grants.

Preparing our young attract more jobs to Scotland Labour will stop the cuts to people for the future and invest in our public schools, nurseries, colleges and services. But you can’t get a universities and protect the Scottish education was once world-class education system education budget in real terms amongst the best in the on the cheap. Labour’s fairer for the lifetime of the next world and we produced the tax plans mean we can stop the Parliament. engineers, inventors, scientists attack on the funding of our and writers who invented the education system and invest Because Labour will make modern world. Today, despite more in education. different decisions on how the efforts of teachers and the education is funded, we can talents of our young people, The single most important expect our schools to aim we struggle to achieve what we economic policy a government higher. Our vision for education ANNE MCDONOUGH did then. The SNP’s cuts mean can pursue is investment in is unapologetically ambitious. BUILDING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL fewer staff in our schools — education. Protecting the teachers, support staff and education budget in real terms To prepare our children for classroom assistants who so could provide a £2 billion the new fast-changing world “The way to give everybody a fair chance in life isn’t to cut the number of staff working in our schools. We need to invest often make all the difference to boost to our economy and of work, we will establish in education, so we can give young people the skills they need to get on in the world. Everybody should have a fair shot at children. give everybody the chance to a nationwide initiative to getting on, no matter their background.” develop the skills they need to introduce first-class education Anne is a mother from Musselburgh, who has a young daughter. Anne knows first hand the cost of having a child, and the That is bad for all of us. We compete for the high-tech jobs in IT and computer coding in all difference targeted support can make. need a world-class education of the future. schools. We will fund primary system to grow our economy, school teachers to go on a

20 INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND 21 basic coding course to allow cuts under the SNP. We will entitlement, but will begin to educational outcomes, so we In consultation with COSLA Labour will end educational schools to introduce this to introduce a Scottish Graduate move towards the flexible, all- will support its introduction and teaching unions we will inequality in a generation. We pupils from Primary 1, as they Certificate, for all young age, year-round, wrap-around across Scotland as a normal introduce an improved version will create a new statutory currently do in England. Recent people at age 18, accredited affordable childcare Scottish part of the school day. of the Chartered Teacher obligation on government years have seen a huge decline and accepted by colleges, families need. scheme to ensure teachers to report on the attainment in further education computing, universities and employers. Schools will be free to go can progress their career while gap between children from from over 10,000 enrolments This will acknowledge all-round As part of our proposals we will beyond a narrow curriculum staying in the classroom. lower and higher-income in 2001 to fewer than 2,500 achievement including exam fund a breakfast club in every and provide broader backgrounds. We will bring in in 2014. We will establish a results, vocational training, primary school in Scotland. This educational opportunities in Narrowing the gap measures of success in closing software development and voluntary achievement and won’t just help more parents to music, sport and the arts. the gap as part of the school coding apprenticeship path to work experience. access meaningful childcare so To support the education of inspection system. help Scotland develop the skills they can fully participate in the Language development is a children from our least well-off it needs. We will introduce an The school inspection system world of work — it will ensure crucial element in learning. families we will set up a Fair We know that addressing annual national schools coding will shift towards unannounced more children start the day with We will ensure the early years Start Fund. This will pay extra anxiety, welfare and low level competition to showcase inspections. We will demand a nutritious breakfast to get workforce has access to speech money direct to head teachers mental health issues in the Scottish talent and further the highest standards of our them ready for a day’s learning. and language therapy skills and heads of centres in classroom can be hugely develop the skills of the future. schools. to support parents with the nurseries, primary schools and beneficial for young people. We As well as extra support at basics of early language, and early learning centres to ensure will ensure that all secondary We want to inspire a new We will continue to support the start of the school day for identify and refer children who children from disadvantaged schools in Scotland have access generation of world-leading Holocaust education so that primary pupils, we will use the need extra help. We will ensure backgrounds don’t fall behind, to a qualified and appropriately scientists by removing young people learn the lessons proceeds from the “sugar tax” health visitors and others have regardless of where they live experienced school counsellor, barriers that hold back young of history and the terrible cost to support a game-changing access to specific opportunities and go to school. providing accessible counselling people, especially girls, from of unchecked anti-Semitism, investment in after-school for professional development to young people who need it. entering science, technology, racism and prejudice. We will sport providing an average of around young children’s We will pay for this through the engineering and mathematics. also appropriately fund the £100,000 to every secondary language development. re-introduction of the 50p tax Inequality in attainment must We will inspire our new national commemoration of school. This is not just an Training and qualifications in rate for those earning more be removed. We will reverse generation of world-leading Holocaust Memorial Day. investment in after-school language and communication than £150,000 a year. It will be the SNP’s decision to charge scientists and innovators to give provision but an investment development should become a for head teachers to decide schools for exam appeals, as our country the skills we need Giving our children the in the long-term health of strong ‘promotion pathway’ for how this money is spent, as this disadvantages pupils from to succeed. best start in life the nation. Recent cuts have the early years workforce. they know best how to educate poorer backgrounds. continued to undermine sports our young people. We will reform the senior phase Delivering affordable and provision in communities across Every child deserves a fair start We need to make sure of school, creating many more flexible childcare is key to giving Scotland. We will start with in life and reading is the key to We remain committed to vulnerable children who need pathways to achievement, each child a good education. children and young people, but unlocking a child’s full potential. healthy school meals and extra support get it. But both academic and vocational, Promises about the number we want school sports clubs to In Scotland today, too many of ensuring they remain free for parents and guardians don’t for senior pupils. This will be of hours of free childcare are be part of sports participation our children are falling behind, children in P1-P3. And we will have confidence in the Named achieved through a closer meaningless unless parents and for the whole community. so we will ensure that within extend this commitment to Person Scheme and that needs partnership between schools, children can make use of them. the next ten years every child cover all 2, 3 and 4 year olds to be addressed. Labour will colleges and universities, The current system is inflexible We have seen the success of leaves primary school able to who are receiving free early pause the process and ask the and will put colleges back at and fails to meet parents’ the “Daily Mile” at St Ninian’s read to a high standard. learning and childcare. Children’s Commissioner to the centre of opportunity for needs. We will match the Primary School, Stirling, carry out a full review of the young people after years of planned increase in pre-school in improving health and implementation of the Named

22 INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND 23 Person Scheme, so that these £6,000 over and above current Skills Scotland, will ensure that Creating arts and If we keep cutting culture, we Local libraries are concerns can be addressed support. these are delivered where they culture for all risk losing the next generation a source of inspiration, and changes implemented if are needed. of artists who will carry on the knowledge and enrichment recommended. The scheme will We will maintain free tuition Our artists, writers, designers, tradition of our vibrant cultural for communities. They are an only be successful in helping for Scottish students at We will reverse the SNP’s musicians, film-makers and life in Scotland. The young important focus for community vulnerable children if it has the university. We will implement shameful cuts to the bursaries actors are at the heart of person who has an amazing learning and many people confidence of practitioners and in full the recommendations of of poorer university students expressing who we are and talent but no-one knows — not have their horizons widened parents. the Commission on Widening and we will ensure that who we aspire to be. We must their teacher, perhaps not even and their imaginations fired by Access. Our commitment to bursaries for those studying harness that creativity and the them. That young person who literature. We want to protect We must do all we can to protect education spending in colleges are fully funded contribution it makes to our will never discover that talent. them from the threat of closure protect children from abuse means we don’t have to pay for so they can access their right economy. It’s an industry that That’s why we want every child and help them to modernise and harm. We want our that promise off the backs of to education. We will review generates more than £5 billion to have the chance to learn to with new technology and web communities to be the best poorer students. and reform the current each year. play a musical instrument. based learning, so that the next and safest places for our Further Education bursary generation of young people children to grow up. Today, We also want to ensure that and EMA systems so that we That is why, rather than We want arts and culture can explore the world from the internet brings a particular recent graduates on lower provide students with the continuing with current cuts, we to remain central to our their own neighbourhood. danger to our young people incomes are not saddled with financial support they need will protect spending on culture national life. A Scottish Labour The National Libraries strategy and children. We will ensure disproportionate payments due and deserve. We will also and the arts in real terms – a Government will create a First needs to be developed to that a comprehensive strategy to their student loan liabilities. make specific improvements small investment that will bring Minister’s Committee on the foster a new ambition for the for internet safety is brought We will change the system so to ensure that those on low massive benefit to our society Arts, Culture and Creative next generation. We will ask forward in the first year of that graduates do not start incomes or in straitened and economy. Industries with membership schools to partner with local the Parliament, developed to make repayments on their financial circumstances can from all sectors and regions. libraries to give every child a in partnership with charities, loans until they are earning access further education. To Scottish culture is built on chance to become a member internet service providers and £22,000. We will also extend facilitate this, we will establish challenging our establishment, We are proud that a Labour and benefit from the library other stakeholders. the repayment period for a transition fund to provide an attitude that has resulted in Government opened up environment. student loans to 30 years. support and assistance to some of the best Scottish works museums and galleries to all people moving from social Securing lifelong of art and literature, that push by making them free. That’s Building a future in film Labour will invest in modern security into further education, opportunities our boundaries and expand our why we will maintain free apprenticeships with 30,000 to ensure that nobody who and TV understanding of the world. access to Scotland’s museums new apprenticeships each wishes to attend college is left Scotland’s looked-after children and galleries and continue to The BBC is one of Britain’s year, and will match those worse off as a result. are all our children. It is a All politicians talk about ensure that young people are most valued institutions and apprenticeships much more shameful fact that someone valuing cultural activity, and encouraged to visit. following the Smith Agreement closely to the job market and a Labour established the Scottish with experience of care in yet evidence shows that too the Scottish Parliament has a proper manufacturing strategy. Union Learning Fund and Scotland is more likely to go to many people are excluded. If We recognise Scotland’s rich contribution to the ongoing We will shift the balance of commits to working with the jail than to university. We will you are poor, disabled, elderly cultural heritage including charter renewal. The BBC is the MA programme towards STUC to maintain it. We will ensure that all care leavers who or from an ethnic minority you Gaelic, Scots and Nordic. also a significant provider of level three and level four extend funding periods and meet the entry requirements are less likely to benefit from We will meet the current jobs and opportunities to the longer-term apprenticeships, ensure the stability of union can secure a place at university. Scotland’s cultural life. In a time commitment to Gaelic creative industries in Scotland. and increase the proportion learning initiatives and projects, We will set up the Care Leavers’ of financial constraint, the arts education for all students that That is why there must be of disabled apprentices and and we will support training Higher Education Fund which can come under pressure, with desire it. increased investment for BBC young female apprentices in of union representatives in will replace existing loans very little statutory protection. Scotland from within the licence traditional industries such as representation, organising and with a non-repayable grant of fee settlement and greater construction. Our new agency, bargaining skills.

24 INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND 25 commissioning responsibility Reaching out across the for the nations and regions. world The BBC and STV also provide the economy of scale required Scottish Labour is proud of to sustain the skills necessary our international development for a vibrant production sector achievements, including setting in Scotland, and we will defend up our partnership with Malawi them. and introducing the Scottish Government’s International Film is an area where Scotland Development Fund. However, can compete globally but under the current government we face falling behind our our International Development UK counterparts due to a and Climate Justice Fund has lack of film infrastructure, not increased. A Scottish specifically a dedicated film Labour Government will and TV studio. Scottish Labour increase this fund in real will work with the sector terms in the course of the next and interested developers Parliament. to accelerate progress on a film studio in Scotland that would put Scottish film at the forefront. But this can only be the beginning. There is a clear role for government and its agencies to support the development and retention of skills, talent and work opportunities, ensuring the economic and cultural benefits of a studio are felt in Scotland.

Leadership can be shown through the creation of a single lead body for the screen industry, acting as the first step towards cultivating a vibrant, exciting, and successful Scottish film and TV scene.

INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S SCOTLAND AMBITIONTHE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 26 27 A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND

Increase NHS spending in real terms and oppose privatisation.

Guarantee an appointment at a GP surgery within 48 hours.

Cut cancer waiting times.

Guarantee a social care package within a week.

Scrap the bedroom tax.

Double the maternity grant for new mums to lift children out of poverty.

The pursuit of equality is at the inequality in Scotland is when it that do so much to entrench heart of everything the Labour comes to people’s health. inequality and drive people into Party does. We believe that poverty. someone’s ability to get on There are wide divisions in in life should be determined health and life expectancy There is no greater example by their potential, ambition between the richest and of Labour’s commitment to and work rate, not by their the poorest in our country. equality than the NHS, where background. People living just a few streets no matter how much money apart in some of our biggest you have, you get equal Making the NHS fit for cities find themselves with life treatment. GEMMA WELSH the future expectancies more than 10 years apart. People from the Because we are making MAKING THE NHS FIT FOR THE FUTURE Inequality in Scotland can poorest communities are more different choices on tax we can be found in almost every likely to die from cancer than promise to increase spending “We need to get our NHS fit for the future. That means investing for the long term. It also means making mental health a section of society – in our those from more affluent areas. on public services in real terms. priority. People always call me brave for talking about my mental health, but in an ideal world it shouldn’t be considered workplaces and in our schools, That means we can afford to brave to say ‘I’ve had depression’. It should be just the same as saying ‘I’ve got a broken arm’.” In order to tackle health protect NHS spending and to in our communities and in our Gemma Welsh is a Scottish Labour councillor in East Dunbartonshire and an organiser at the Transport Salaried Staffs’ universities. However, perhaps inequalities we must tackle protect a health service free at Association trade union. She recently spoke at Scottish Labour conference during our Big Ideas session about how important it is the most shocking example of inequality in society in general. the point of need. to take action now when it comes to mental health services in our NHS. Labour will stop the cuts

28 A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND 29 We need to address the on our local doctors. We will Alexandra Hospital Children’s Improving the situation in social whether it is about hospital commitments. Labour will looming crisis in primary provide increased places for Ward and Community Maternity care is vital. More than 270 treatment, primary or social support unpaid carers in both care. Our GP practices are medical students and more GP Unit, Emergency Care and Scots died last year waiting care. further and higher education increasingly under-staffed and training places and encourage Community Maternity Services for care packages. That is a by not financially penalising under-resourced as a result of more people to make general at the Vale of Leven, and the disgrace. Labour will guarantee We know that people are facing them if they need to repeat a over £1 billion in cuts from the practice a career choice. Community Maternity Services a social care package in place barriers, such as charges to year because of their caring SNP. at Inverclyde Royal. We will within a week. access services, after years responsibilities, and we will We will also invest in more keep the promise made by the of SNP cuts to local budgets. ensure that where attendance Primary care is essential advanced nurse practitioners. SNP, now broken, to have four Our plans to improve the sector Labour will work to end care is linked to student support, to taking pressure off our Through our reforms and new major trauma centres in are built on properly supporting charges, so that all aspects of carers don’t lose out. hospitals. But we also need to investment we will guarantee Scotland in Glasgow, Edinburgh, staff and adopting in full the social care are free at the point support our GPs to provide the an appointment at a GP surgery Dundee and Aberdeen, in recommendations of UNISON’s of delivery. We recognise the We know that outcomes for services that the people in our within 48 hours. If that means addition to existing services. Ethical Care Charter. That starts scale of this challenge so we will children with experience of communities rely on. A Scottish you need to see a specialist with paying a living wage. But establish an implementation care are not good enough. We Labour Government will roll nurse within 48 hours then We recognise that often Scottish Labour’s National group of the Scottish will commit to improving the out reforms that give GPs the that guarantee will be there. hospital catering is not up Careworkers’ Guarantee goes Government, local authorities experience of care, including for ability to form into ‘clusters’ and If that means you need to to the standard we would further: ensuring that staff are and charities representing older children who are looked after we will invest in staff for local see a GP within 48 hours expect for our loved ones. paid for travel cost and travel people and disabled people. at home. Local authorities need surgeries to support the work then you can. We also want Proper nutrition is part of the time; that no staff are left on greater support to improve life of GPs. patients to be able to book healing process so we will zero-hours contracts; and that For the thousands of unpaid chances and a stable financial these appointments online, just review and invest in hospital proper training is given to all family carers we will create a footing for local government But our plans to revitalise as they can with many other food to ensure new nutritional staff before they enter the new role and office of Carers’ will help. We will invest in primary care go much further. services today. standards. workplace. We will ensure staff Commissioner to champion improving practice and systems have time to care. their cause, see their rights of support. Kinship and foster To make immediate local advice Scottish Labour will protect Caring for Scotland are respected and their voice carers need to have access more available, we will extend our NHS from privatisation Older people across the heard across central and local to financial and emotional the minor ailment service — we are opposed to the The entire care sector is country are telling us they government. We will ensure support. We will review the in community pharmacies, Transatlantic Trade and struggling, with councils want a government that that entitlements like respite strategy for looked after drawing on their expertise Investment Partnership (TTIP) overstretched and under understands their concerns, care are enforced and backed children and set challenging and training. Not every person and the threat that it poses resourced, with cuts to their such as loneliness and isolation. with the necessary resources. targets for improving outcomes. needs to see a GP, and often to public services such as our budgets since 2011 totalling As a government, Scottish We will use Parliament’s new a pharmacist can provide the NHS. £1.4 billion. Labour will use Labour will develop a National powers to up-rate the Carers’ Improving cancer care help and advice someone the powers of the Scottish Loneliness Strategy which will Allowance to equal Jobseekers’ needs. Under our plans While the current government Parliament to stop cuts to local include training for doctors and Allowance. And where carers do Early diagnosis of cancer is people will be able to see the has delayed decisions about services and halt the conveyor health service staff on helping work we will support them to likely to increase an individual’s local pharmacist for low-level closing key services until after belt of Tory austerity being pensioners with depression. stay in work while fulfilling their chance of surviving the disease. prescribing, making your life the election, we will protect passed on by the SNP. We unpaid care responsibilities. For example, women who easier and relieving some of local services and look for believe it is not only right to With the integration of are diagnosed at the earliest the pressure on GPs. Opening opportunities to develop them. invest in social care to support health and social care now in We recognise that many unpaid stage of breast cancer are five this service to everyone and This will include: the Lightburn our NHS in years to come, but it operation we will make sure carers can be unfairly priced times more likely to survive expanding the conditions it Hospital, St. John’s Hospital is necessary to deliver the care that there is a single system out of further and higher than those diagnosed at the covers will cut the pressures Children’s Ward, the Royal people need. for Scots to raise concerns, education due to their caring latest stage. So we will cut the

30 A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND 31 waiting time for cancer results. than from the experiences of worth on average £100,000 per Scotland competes to host the with the smoking ban. We will new employment agency and If your GP suspects you have those who have lived them, school, our schools can offer very best sporting events in the do so again and deliver real Scottish social security system cancer you will be entitled to so Scottish Labour will ensure a dynamic new approach to future. change for Scots waiting on to provide opportunities to see a specialist and get results that a regular cancer patients’ getting young people involved transplant lists today. prioritise good mental health. within a fortnight. If you are survey forms the backbone of with sports. This isn’t just We will also actively pursue then diagnosed with cancer you how we develop future services. about the skills and confidence bringing sports events for all Promoting good mental Our plans on cutting the will have access to a specialist that come from getting young levels of physical ability whilst health attainment gap, increased nurse appropriate to your Sport and prevention people involved in sport, it’s promoting and providing sports maternity grants and giving needs. The next Parliament about giving them opportunities opportunities for groups often Our vision is for a Scotland care leavers full HE grants, are must ensure that tackling Tackling health inequality to make healthier choices excluded or unable to access where mental health is given all part of a comprehensive Scotland’s biggest killer remains will require far-reaching throughout their lives. them. the same priority as physical approach to closing the gap a health priority. interventions, such as delivering health, and we support SAMH’s between the richest and the a living wage and ending Outside of school, we know that Transplant Bill call for delivering a 10 year plan rest, cutting the link between We recognise the need to austerity. But there are other across the country there are for improving mental health deprivation and poor health, address the link between interventions that a Labour countless committed volunteers We need to reform our services. But Labour recognises and giving young people the inequality and cancer, which Government will make to level who inspire and engage others health service, established that we need immediate best start in life. is why we are committed to the playing field of opportunity. to practice sport. Despite their in the 1940s, to be fit for the interventions as well. So we building on the new cancer Many young people and efforts and determination challenges of the 2040s. That will create a cabinet level The Scottish Government set strategy to prevent people families are simply priced out there can still be barriers for means taking decisions for the responsibility for mental health a standard for the NHS in in our communities from of sports clubs and activities, many people to take up the long-term, like introducing a to ensure that it receives the Scotland to deliver a maximum developing cancer. We are fully and we can’t begin to improve opportunity to volunteer. soft opt-out system for organ level of attention and political wait of 18 weeks from supportive of, and committed people’s health if they are donations. A Transplant Bill leadership needed. December 2014 for Children to, Cancer Now’s 2050 unable to take up exercise Scottish Labour will work to will be in the first Labour and Adolescent Mental Health Challenge to end deaths from opportunities. We know that bring together stakeholders Programme for government. We want mental health Services. The standard should breast cancer by 2050. there are many benefits to such as Sport Scotland, the professionals throughout be delivered for at least 90% of increased physical activity — Scottish Sports Association and Scottish Labour will increase our health service, from patients. We will ensure every positive impacts on physical the Scottish Volunteer the number of full cycles of IVF primary care settings to A&E cancer patient is offered and mental health not only Forum to create available to couples from two to departments. Yet less than 75% of those an assessment of all their benefit those taking up activities a Sport Volunteer Fund three. young people were seen within emotional, practical, financial but can also relieve pressures aimed at supporting people Our ambition to end austerity the target time last year. This and physical needs, alongside and costs to the health service. to go on coaching courses, Moving to a different system of will target many of the causes cannot continue. a written care plan to show child protection courses and organ donation will save lives of poor mental health and in how their support needs will be Our sports clubs funded mentoring schemes. across Scotland. It’s time for particular will focus on the links It is not acceptable that so met. Scottish Labour recognises by the ‘sugar tax’ offer the Scotland to reclaim a radical between poverty, deprivation many people waiting to access the benefits of the Macmillan- opportunity for a revolution Our schools, workplaces, tradition on public health. We and mental ill health. mental health services have funded Transforming Care After in school sports, to provide business and communities all will introduce a Transplant Bill had to wait longer than the Treatment Programme and new and engaging activities benefitted from the success as soon as possible because We recognise that good target time, particularly for our we will use the evidence from that will encourage far greater of Glasgow’s Commonwealth the faster we change the law employment opportunities children and young people. We the programme to continue participation. Games. We will build on the the more lives we can save. with decent pay also play a know that early intervention is to develop and improve after- excitement and engagement The last Labour-led Scottish significant role in improving key. treatment care. There can be By empowering teachers with from delivering such a fantastic Government took bold and quality of life for individuals and no greater lessons learned these additional resources, festival of sport, by ensuring radical action on health policy their families. We will utilise our We will invest in educational

THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND 33 psychologists and community patients live; this will include means standing up for mental health professionals services for children and young women’s rights. Scottish Labour trained in talking therapies people. is committed to ensuring to widen access and end the equal access, irrespective scandal of missed waiting times. Delivering for women of geographical location, to contraceptive advice, family Neurological care and Scottish Labour is proud of its planning services and abortion research record on promoting women’s services. We have no plans to rights and has led the way change the law on abortion. Scotland is a country which has in consistently encouraging innovated in medical science women into public life. In Tackling poverty throughout our history. We will the last Parliament three out invest in research funding for of four of the leaders of the The SNP commissioned a a cure to MS, MND, and other largest parties were women. major anti-poverty report from neurological diseases to ensure We support the Women 50:50 one of the most respected Scotland is leading the world in Campaign and as a party, academics in the UK, Naomi this vital research. Scottish Labour is proud to Eisenstadt. This report set have a gender balanced list of out 15 recommendations for Research is not all that is candidates. tackling poverty and giving required. We want everyone to everybody a fair chance have the dignity and care they We will appoint a Cabinet in life. A Labour Scottish deserve in their community, Secretary for Equalities Government will implement all which means providing responsible for mainstreaming 15 recommendations through dedicated neurological care and gender equality, who will an Anti-Poverty Bill. We will support services – regardless of introduce a Gender Equality Bill report to Parliament on an whether someone lives at home and support efforts to deliver annual basis on the progress or in residential care – delivered equal pay. This legislation will towards implementing the 15 by specialists who understand require gender mainstreaming recommendations and how these complex conditions, and a statutory requirement they are helping to alleviate crucially ensuring nobody for gender budgeting across poverty in Scotland. Alleviation aged under 65 has to live in an all policy areas. We are of poverty will be a major focus older people’s nursing home. committed to delivering a 50:50 for a Labour Government. Scottish Labour will re-write balance at all political levels the standards for neurological and public positions. We have Designing social security care to place people who use committed to implement the for Scotland health and social care services recommendations made by the at the centre of the work they Scottish Government’s poverty With new social security powers do, allowing people to live advisor, which includes setting on their way to the Scottish life as fully as possible. We up a commission to tackle Parliament, there are new will institute a review of end- occupational segregation in responsibilities to act in a way of-life and palliative care, the Scotland’s workplaces. that is fair. quality and availability of which We believe that standing up too often depend on where against women’s inequality

34 A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND 35 Labour will create a new review changes to benefits. and we will explore removing Living Allowance to meet their Labour will deliver real change of LGBTI people. Scottish Social Security Agency Any changes to welfare policy assessment from the hands energy costs by enabling them and protect these women’s to manage these new powers. It in Scotland will have to be of the private sector. The to receive the Winter Fuel pensions. We recognise that there is will be based on the principles reviewed by the committee, Scottish Welfare Fund will be Payment. compelling evidence regarding of dignity and respect, not cuts which will include charities protected and ensure that Labour has led the opposition the effectiveness of PrEP. A and punitive sanctions. representing disabled and older crisis grants and loans are It’s unjust that families with to the wider changes to Labour Scottish Government people, and the comments they administered fairly. severely disabled or ill children women’s pensions in the will establish a review into We will ensure that it make on the policies will have are currently penalised when UK Parliament and we will prescribing PrEP as a priority. undertakes its work following a to be laid before the Scottish For so many people, poverty their loved ones have an carry on fighting for other rights-based, person-centred, Parliament. and inequality start before they extended period of time in women who have been To promote the wellbeing flexible and responsive are even born. Too many new hospital meaning they lose DLA affected so that better of Scotland’s youth we will approach. Future social security We will immediately abolish parents struggle to make ends and Carer’s Allowance. We’ll transitional arrangements are ensure that all young people, policy will be developed on the unfair bedroom tax, a meet and can’t afford even the make that right by abolishing implemented. regardless of location, will clear entitlements and geared policy that has caused so basics, like nappies and a pram. the 84-day rule. have access to consistent sex towards people achieving their much misery. This was cruelly We will more than double the We will use the new powers education which considers full rights without barriers to introduced by the Tories but Sure Start Maternity Grant for The social security safety net of the Scottish Parliament to LGBTI relationships and sexual access. As part of this flexible, it will be scrapped in Scotland new mums in need to £1,030. was created by Labour to support pensioners using off- health. We want to ensure that responsive and person centred once and for all by Labour. This is an example of where we support people from cradle grid energy to bring forward the the professionals who work approach, we want to make can use the new powers to lift to grave. A Scottish Labour payment of their Winter Fuel with our young people can the transition to Universal We will give people the option children out of poverty and give Government will ensure that Payment. provide support, tackle bullying Credit as easy as possible. So of either cash or in kind them a fair chance in life. this remains central to the new and respond to homophobia, we will ensure that, where a payments through the Scottish Scottish Social Security Agency. LGBTI biphobia and transphobia. We tenant requests it, the housing Welfare Fund, returning to We support the approach support the Time for Inclusive element can be paid direct to something we attempted to do borrowed from Finland’s Kela Scotland’s pensioners deserve Scottish Labour is proud of the Education campaign. We will social landlords, and that, for in the Welfare Funds (Scotland) system, where expectant to be able to enjoy their action it has taken to advance provide a strategy which will those that require it, the option Bill last year. mothers receive a maternity retirement with dignity and lesbian, gay, bisexual and underpin this ambition, deliver is available to have Universal package, however we need respect. We believe it’s wrong trans equality. From repealing an update to the Toolkit for Credit paid fortnightly instead We will protect housing benefit higher ambitions than this. We that women born between the homophobic section 2A Teachers, and set out clear of monthly. for young people aged 18-21 if want Scotland to be a country April 1951 and 1953 face to increasing the sentencing standards detailing how best to their entitlement is removed by where every child has the inequality with men of the same for homophobic hate crimes meet their needs and support We want a system that is the Tories. healthiest start in life possible, age because of changes to and creating civil partnerships, LGBTI young people. trusted, not just by those in and in addition to our increased retirement ages and pensions which paved the way for equal receipt of benefits, but by Disability benefits will be maternity grants we will ensure allowances by the Tory marriage, Labour led the way. We will ensure that Scotland’s wider society. We want the rights-based not means our children and parents get Government. Through no fault transgender communities gain system to be culturally and tested, the application and the support and advice they of their own they are going to While inequality still exists we new rights. A Scottish Labour socially sensitive, respecting appeals process will be made need with 500 new health be on average over £6 a week must do more to promote Government will change the people’s situation and designed more straightforward and visitors. worse off because of these LGBTI individuals in public law to provide legal recognition to support people into transparent. The financial Using the new powers for changes. life. We are committed to for people who do not identify employment and out of poverty. value of such benefits will be social security, we’ll help We will use the new powers of delivering public services which as men or women and remove We will establish a statutory protected. Those with long those families with children the Scottish Parliament to top support and engage with the psychiatric diagnosis Scottish Social Security term or terminal conditions who receive the highest up the pensions of this cohort LGBTI communities, staffed requirement from legal gender Advisory Committee which will will not be asked to requalify, care component of Disability of women and make sure that by professionals who are recognition process. Scotland’s none of them are worse off. responsive to the health needs young people who wish to seek 36 A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND 37 legal recognition of the gender they live would be entitled to do so from the age of 16 under Scottish Labour.

Scottish Labour was proud to support the introduction of equal marriage and to legislate for civil partnerships when in government. Scottish Labour will ensure that all couples will be afforded the right to enter into a civil partnership.

38 A FAIRER, MORE EQUAL SCOTLAND THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 39 STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

We will scrap the unfair council tax.

Help first-time buyers save for a deposit.

Tackle rogue landlords and ban rip-off rent rises.

Build 60,000 affordable homes.

Reform the planning regime.

Support a debt amnesty for local councils.

Stop the spread of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals.

We will scrap the council These powers – which we will Scotland is in the midst of tax put into the hands of local a housing crisis. Just over a councils – include a Tourist Tax, quarter of people under the A decade ago the SNP came a Land Value Tax on vacant, age of 34 now own their own to power promising to scrap economically inactive land, home. That’s down from just SHONAGH MUNRO the unfair council tax. Labour and revenues from the Crown under half in 1999. A whole will scrap the council tax Estate, which will benefit rural generation are feeling the STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES and replace it with a new and island communities in impact of austerity, because property tax that leaves 80% of particular. they simply can’t afford to save households better off. Labour is for a house. What previous “I think it’s everyone’s dream to be able to buy their own house but it has become such an unrealistic dream lately — and committed to local devolution, Homes for all generations took for granted is it’s something I’m really happy to see Labour fighting for. I feel like what Labour has done with the housing plan is put back so we will devolve new powers now out of reach for too many into young people’s minds the ambition to own their own home. It’s something I never thought about before because I to local government. This will We stand for the right to a safe, people. assumed I wouldn’t be able to afford it.” give councils the ability to raise affordable and suitable home Shonagh is a modern languages student at the University of Edinburgh. For Shonagh, the prospect of owning her own home is for everyone. That needs bold Too many young people are not something she ever thought she would be able to do. Everybody deserves a home and a chance, but whether you are a private an additional £150 million in action. stuck in a cycle from which renter, a social tenant or looking to buy for the first time it has been a difficult few years. revenue for local services.

40 STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES 41 there seems to be no escape. allow homelessness to fade getting the best deal and They rent to save for a deposit from our action on housing. our public services have the to buy a house, but because We will therefore consult resources that they need. the rent is so high they can’t on and adopt a new cross- afford to put much money away departmental strategy for The planning system should at the end of the month. tackling homelessness. strike the right balance for communities and developers. It There are 150,000 households We will make more land should also ensure the quality on local waiting lists for social available in the coming years of both our environment and housing — because there is to build homes, especially the buildings we inhabit are simply not enough housing for the consistently large areas maintained. We believe it people to rent at affordable of economically inactive land now needs reform to make prices. We will build 60,000 which blight our communities. the public interest stronger affordable homes, with 45,000 while providing certainty of those for rent by councils, Empowering local for developers to attract housing associations and co- government and investment. We will improve the operatives. These homes will be communities effectiveness of the plan-led built to the highest standards of system to ensure it respects thermal insulation and at least local communities and holds Local government provides 10% will be built to wheelchair the confidence of the public, the services on which so accessibility standards. This will developers and locally elected many people depend. Scottish create jobs and help grow our members. Labour will always ensure local economy. government is properly funded Local communities get and locally accountable. We will regulate private rents frustrated when they see land — capping rent increases, so lying derelict while people they We will support local rogue landlords can’t get away know don’t have a place to government to secure a debt with charging rip-off rents. call home. We will create legal amnesty on historic debt to the We’ll consult on introducing a powers, where needed, to allow Public Works Loan Board which Charter — similar to that in the councils to compel the sale of is often at fixed rates well above social rented sector — to drive derelict and brownfield land for current market rates. This up standards in the private early development. Our reforms will allow them to reduce the rented sector. to local taxation will include, burden of debt interest charges as part of a basket of taxes, a on pre-devolution debt, which Scotland still faces the Land Value Tax which will help Unite the Union estimates to challenge of homelessness. In address this issue. We’ll also be the equivalent of 10p from recent months, we’ve seen a empower local communities to every pound currently raised in rise in the number of homeless take over assets and run them council tax. We will also review children living in temporary as co-operatives, building on the PPP (PFI, NPD & Hub) accommodation and people the work of so many community contracts and projects, used sleeping rough. This should development trusts. by all Scottish Governments, shock us into action. We cannot to ensure that the public are

COMMUNITYTHE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 4242 We will address local lenders, who charge exorbitant Welcoming communities forced to flee their own infrastructure problems so that interest rates on loans. We’ll countries, right across all of good developers aren’t put off invest in credit unions to We know that diverse Scotland’s communities. from proceeding with projects. offer communities affordable communities are stronger That is why we will introduce alternatives that give them for what each part of the a Refugee Integration We recognise the problem that greater financial control. community brings to the whole. (Scotland) Bill setting out unrestored opencast mines We have a responsibility to refugees’ rights to access pose for communities across In towns and cities across ensure that refugees who come services, enshrine national Scotland. We will work with the Scotland, our high streets have to Scotland are given more standards for integration UK and local governments to become overrun with betting than just a home. They must be in law, especially around tackle environmental concerns shops and the highly addictive given hope of a better future. language and interpretation, and restore these sites for the gaming machines known as We will work with local and simplify the many good of local communities. Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. authorities and third sector provisions in Scots law We will use the powers under organisations to welcome and relevant to refugees. Scotland’s third sector is vibrant the Scotland Act 2016 to support refugees and we will and active. It is vitally important stop the spread of these continue to argue that the UK to communities, providing terminals and we will set up should take a more humane services which they rely on. Not a commission to examine approach to welcoming those only that, the third sector drives the impact of gambling in fleeing conflict and persecution. the principles of equality and communities across Scotland. The humanitarian crisis has opportunity. filled our TV screens, bringing The Scottish Parliament will stories which have filled our We will always support third shortly have responsibility for hearts with emotion, none sector organisations and social consumer advice and advocacy. more so than the image of a enterprises because when We want to see Scottish toddler boy, Alan Kurdi, washed government and the voluntary consumers empowered so they up on a beach. sector work together we can can make the right choices and tackle disadvantage together. know where to seek redress The Scottish Labour and trade when they aren’t satisfied. We union movement responded We will continue to support fan will work with consumer and doing what they do best: ownership of football clubs in business representative bodies organise, prioritise and help. Scotland, recognising that clubs to develop a consumer strategy. Wishaw to Calais was the are more than just businesses. seed from which grew a wider They hold a special place in the We will retain the Islands Labour and Scottish response heart of so many communities. Working Group and develop to refugee protection. an Islands Plan to support For those who fall into debt the Our Islands Our Future The rise of worldwide human or money problems, we’ll campaign. We will support displacement is a generational introduce a financial health the development of island challenge. Scotland can be a service to support them. Too economies and introduce a beacon for the human right of often, people in debt are Scottish Islands Bill to ensure refugee protection. We must driven into the arms of loan island interests are protected. put the structures in place to sharks and high-street pay-day welcome and integrate those

44 STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND

We will ban fracking in Scotland.

Make it cheaper and easier to travel with a single smartcard ticket.

Tackle fuel poverty through a Warm Homes Act.

Deliver a publicly owned ‘People’s Scotrail’.

Immediately halt the CalMac privatisation process.

Delivering a cleaner, Ensuring our country and ifs, no buts, no fracking under greener future communities can prosper Labour. without exploiting and Protecting and shaping the damaging our environment will We need to use our powers to places in which we live directly sustain and protect Scotland’s ensure future generations will improves our prosperity, our potential for future generations. be able to produce the energy community and our health. We need to be proud of that creates jobs, renews The natural world is essential our environment and the communities and protects to our well-being, the food we biodiversity which makes it so Scotland’s rich environment. We eat and the air we breathe. valuable. We also need to make are fortunate because Scotland Yet we know more can always stronger progress to meet our is well placed to generate be done to preserve it. If we climate protection targets. electricity from clean sources. protect the natural world today Within a generation we will find our children and grandchildren It is because of the need to the ways to green the heating will inhabit a better world in the tackle climate change that we of our homes and offices, to CONNOR CUNNINGHAM future. will ban fracking in Scotland. green our transport systems, The science is very clear that both private and public, and A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND We are proud of our landscape the last thing we need is to support manufacturing to a and its history. Yet many of our burn another fossil fuel. Rather green transition. We will move “Nobody wants fracking in their community. People don’t want a temporary freeze — they want an outright ban. towns and villages bear the than a temporary freeze, or ahead with the low-carbon No ifs, no buts, no fracking.” studies which report a few investment and support scars of past environmental Connor is a maths student from Paisley. Like many people, Connor is concerned about the environmental impact of fracking, and years down the line, our needed to develop new skills, injustice and a poverty of instead believes we should invest in green industry to unlock the many potential jobs and opportunities that will come from it. aspiration today. position is very clear — no new jobs and green workplaces,

46 A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND 47 with the public sector taking the need for flood defences on our warmth to thousands of that our rail network meets the the introduction of contactless Extra investment in the city of lead. rivers and coasts. households and businesses in needs of commuters and helps payment across all modes of Edinburgh is driving up active Scotland, supporting the growth to drive freight off the roads. public transport in Scotland by travel and we want to see more As well as contributing to a We support a balanced energy of district heating, renewable We will accelerate the process the end of the next Parliament. investment across the country. balanced energy mix, Carbon mix. We believe in a ‘civic heating and investment in of reopening our rail lines, the Capture and Storage (CCS) energy’ future — a future energy efficiency. creation of new routes, We will protect concessionary We want CalMac to remain in represents a viable way to that grows local schemes to both urban and rural, and new travel for the over 60s public hands. These lifeline decarbonise essential industrial produce green energy, and We will use the Scottish stations to serve communities introduced by Labour in 2006. services are too important to processes. Investment in heat for local use. A Scottish Parliament’s new powers to across Scotland. This will We will work with veterans’ privatise. We will immediately CCS should be a priority. We Labour Government will support pensioners using off- include projects such as the organisations to extend the halt the unnecessary tender of will continue to oppose the pursue new ownership models grid energy by bringing forward extension to the Borders eligibility for free bus travel to the lifeline Clyde and Hebrides decision by the UK Government — community, co-operative, their Winter Fuel Payment. Railway, the Levenmouth former service personnel who services and take our case to to end investment in the and public - to both generate line, the Edinburgh South would benefit the most. the EU to keep Calmac in the Peterhead CCS project and and supply our energy. We Getting Scotland moving Suburban line and Edinburgh We want to ensure that public sector. will work with stakeholders to will support businesses and to Berwick via Dunbar, with new young people can take up secure the project’s future. communities, in islands and Our transition to a sustainable investment in stations such as the opportunities available to Sustaining our rural and rural areas, in towns and cities, future requires greater those at East Linton, Reston them so we will also extend the island communities We will ensure that the Scottish including those people currently emphasis on public transport and Plains. We want to see concessionary travel scheme to Government’s budgets, off-grid, to reduce their energy and active travel. progress with other important cover apprentices. We will protect island regulations and legislative demand, stimulating the rail projects such as the long- communities by retaining programme are compatible development of commercially Good public transport is vital awaited Glasgow Crossrail We want all bus services Air Discount Schemes, Road with Scotland’s Climate Change viable energy production. to our prosperity and our scheme. to be run for the benefit of Equivalent Tariffs on lifeline Act. environment. Public transport communities, not simply the ferry routes, and seek to reduce We will pursue a major drive for works best when it is publicly We will make it cheaper and private profit of a few wealthy fares to Orkney and Shetland. Scottish Labour brought energy efficiency and remove regulated and owned, so we easier to get to work. That’s individuals. We want to see through the first recycling the carbon from Scotland’s will make the changes needed why we will integrate Scotland’s democratic control of transport We have land and sea in plenty, targets in 2003, when Scotland electricity needs. To underline to deliver real reform. We need transport system, accessible and municipal ownership but too many in Scotland rely relied on landfill for 91% our ambition to green our a transport system that works with one smartcard ticket for of buses as happens in the on food banks in order to eat, of its municipal waste, with energy use, a Scottish Labour for commuters, not transport use on all modes of public Lothians. So we’ll regulate while farmers and fishermen deplorable levels of recycling Government will aspire to bosses. Right now, the Scottish transport, the length and Scotland’s buses to give local find it hard to make a living. at 4%. By stopping the cuts to generate 50% of our electricity, public transport system is a breadth of our country. communities and councils Industrial-scale agriculture is local services we will ensure heat and transport demand patchwork of services and many greater say over the services contributing to climate change every household in Scotland from renewables by 2030. By areas are left behind with no So someone touching in with they need and want. and harming our wildlife. Much can reduce their waste going doing that we will be on target decent provision. a card on a bus in Tobermory of our food system isn’t working to landfill, with 100% of food to deliver 100,000 jobs working can touch out at the end As well as providing good as it should. For the sake of waste being recycled by 2020. in Scotland’s green sector. When the Scotrail franchise is of a journey from Hillhead quality, affordable public our health, our prosperity and available for renewal we will underground station, having transport we also want to see our environment it is time We want to prevent climate Half of pensioners live in fuel seek a publicly owned ‘People’s travelled by bus, ferry, train, and more investment in active government - national and local change but we know some poverty. No one should have to Scotrail.’ underground, using just one travel, not just to improve - took up the challenge. damaging change is now live in a hard-to-heat, draughty smartcard ticket. people’s transport choices, inevitable. Our first step will and damp home. So we’ll We will undertake a strategic but to improve people’s Growing the rural be a major review of the new introduce a Warm Homes Act review on the next generation Our ambitious vision doesn’t health and wellbeing, and standards and funding we’ll to bring clean and affordable of transport investment so stop there. We will also explore make our communities safer. economy

48 A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND 49 We would introduce a Health, committed to conducting an enhance the natural heritage Food and Farming Act. This immediate review of both. of these areas of beauty. legislation will retain the We will review the future of Scottish Agricultural Wages Our review of the Land National Parks to protect Board and establish a statutory Reform Act will be tasked with them and consider options for Scottish Food Commission, identifying improvements establishing a new National incorporating Food Standards to the legislation, including Park. Scotland. The Board is vitally mechanisms which will ensure important in setting minimum land in Scotland is registered We are committed to doing wage levels and conditions, within the EU, making good more for Scotland’s animals and maintaining strong health on the Land Reform Review by tackling all forms of cruelty. and safety practices across Group’s recommendations. We will ensure that the welfare the farming and horticultural When the time comes for of all wild and domesticated sectors. A statutory Scottish CAP renegotiations, a Scottish animals is protected. Where Food Commission would Labour Government will argue present legislation, including work with stakeholders to for reforms which work for and the Protection of Wild Mammals report and advise on the strengthen rural economies, Act (Scotland) 2002, is shown sustainability of our food and deliver reductions in agricultural not to protect them, we will supply chains, promote best climate change emissions, and act to strengthen it. To ensure practice to strengthen rural are compatible with our Health, legislation can be enforced, economies, develop binding Food and Farming Act. we will establish a unit within recommendations on the Police Scotland to specifically reduction of food poverty, and We will encourage protection investigate wildlife crime. reduce agricultural climate for Scotland’s seas and coasts, change emissions. coupled with a comprehensive We believe that snaring is a marine monitoring strategy, cruel, ineffective means of land We will address the causes of to ensure our seas are all in management and will bring food insecurity by campaigning good environmental condition forward a consultation on for a real living wage, the end by 2020. We will bring forward banning snaring. We support of exploitative zero-hours sustainable fisheries policies to the review of the pet trade, and contracts and for a more give consumers confidence in would ban the use of electric humane approach to social Scottish-caught fish. dog collars in Scotland. We security. We will support would develop ‘positive lists’ of community responses to food We are committed to animals suitable for domestic poverty. supporting Scotland’s crofting environments. To ensure the community and its heritage. We welfare of the owner and Farming and fishing will work to empower crofting animal, we will require owners communities are under communities. to keep a license for animals not pressure. The current Scottish listed. There are no financial, Government has botched Scottish Labour in government conservation or educational Common Agricultural Policy established the Cairngorms and grounds for animals to be used (CAP) payments to farmers and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs in circuses and we will ban this the Land Reform Act. We are National Parks to conserve and practice in Scotland.

50 A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND A MORE SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND 51 A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND

Restore local accountability to Police Scotland.

Prioritise the prosecution of domestic abuse.

Reform and improve the support given to victims of crime.

Scrap the Football Act.

Adopt a zero-tolerance approach to hate crimes.

Tackle sexual exploitation.

Restoring faith in our and Rescue Service. That is That’s why we need to get police our starting point – these vital back to the kind of community services need to be funded policing that made Scotland Everyone expects and wants properly. the envy of the world. Labour to live in communities which supports a balanced police are safe and secure. We want Despite the hard work and workforce. to know that the emergency dedication of frontline officers services will be there for us and staff, there have been We will implement the findings when we need them. That failures in the formation of of the Pearson Review of means that government must a single police force. It has Policing in Scotland. This will BEA JONES do all it can to fight crime and damaged the links between see the creation of local police anti-social behaviour, making local communities and the committees, which will ensure JUSTICE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES our neighbourhoods safer to police. Cuts to civilian police communities get the policing live in. staff have seen frontline they need. They will be tasked “At present there is no continuity of support - practical, emotional, psychological — for families of homicide victims in police officers moved to back with undertaking a community Scotland. The Scottish Labour Party is aware of this and I am so pleased that they are determined bring about change.” The choices we will make on office jobs, making it more police audit. We will build tax allow us to commit to difficult to tackle the problem a strong link between local Bea and Hu Jones set up the Moira Fund, a grant-making charity, after their daughter Moira was murdered in 2008. The Moira protecting the budgets of Police of housebreakings, anti-social committees and the Scottish Fund, working in partnership with other agencies, offers practical support which currently is not available from government funds. Scotland and the Scottish Fire behaviour and other crimes. Police Authority (SPA) with local

52 A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND 53 committee convenors able to The attacks from France Reducing reoffending We will ensure that the Scottish we do now, providing upfront proper access to justice. The attend meetings of the SPA to and Belgium to Nigeria and Prison Service prioritises the help with funeral arrangements Employment Tribunal system air and resolve local issues. Pakistan, in recent months, We believe that addressing the safety of all members of staff by and costs. We will extend the should be more accountable to have shown the threat that causes of crime, whether these making sure that all employers, provision of psychological Parliament. The police are part of our terrorism continues to pose. be disadvantage, substance whether public or private, support to victims of crime. democracy, not apart from it. We will support our emergency abuse, or poor mental health, is meet a set of minimum safety We will review the legal aid Many in the police question services so they can keep our essential to crime prevention. standards. We will tackle the We will consult on allowing system to ensure it enables whether reporting to a single communities safe and will high rates of assaults on staff the evidence of vulnerable equality of access to justice. In government minister, and being ensure they are equipped and We will pursue preventative by making sure that prisons witnesses to be pre-recorded particular, we’ll protect legal aid scrutinised by the Scottish properly resourced. measures to stop people and custodial services are and undertake an urgent for family law cases, recognising Police Authority appointed by offending in the first place or adequately staffed. review of the Victim Notification it’s often a lifeline for women. that same minister, is sufficient We will ensure that any reoffending. For those who are Scheme. Those convicted to guarantee that. The next consideration given to the sentenced to time in prison, we Justice for victims of crime should pay back We’ll support victims of rape to stage of reform should be arming of police officers on our want to make prison work – it to victims and communities come forward and train more both to strengthen democratic streets is based on the threat shouldn’t just be a place to hold We will put victims at the they have affected. We will police officers to handle the links to communities up and we face and that the Chief people who have committed heart of the justice system. ensure a greater use of asset issue of rape sensitively and down the land, and to give our Constable consults the Scottish crimes but should provide The courts are where the confiscation and forfeiture to without judgement. elected Parliament a stronger Police Authority (SPA) and meaningful rehabilitation victims of crime seek justice ensure a higher proportion of role. relevant government Ministers. to reduce reoffending with and recompense. However, criminal profits are returned to We will support education opportunities for education, too often our justice system is the communities most affected around issues of sexual So we will review the Police We will also continue to lobby training and voluntary work. focussed on pointing the finger by crime. consent for young people. and Fire Rescue Service Reform the UK Government to restore Making prison work will reduce of blame at the perpetrators Act, including composition the VAT exemption for Scottish crime, save money and will rather than providing the Where the justice system has Scottish Labour aims to tackle of boards. To make sure emergency services, which was reduce the prison population. information and services that failed people and victims, such commercial sexual exploitation Government Ministers do lost when they were centralised victims need. Victims, as well as as in cases of historic abuse, we by challenging demand and their job, we will establish a by the Scottish Government. Our justice system should witnesses and jurors, often feel will act to put those injustices by supporting those involved. committee of our Scottish We have consistently made the pursue sentences that deliver they are not treated with either right and create opportunities It has a three-pronged Parliament to oversee the case to the UK Government for proper rehabilitation. Short sympathy or respect. Scotland for appropriate redress. framework: criminalising the national emergency services the exemptions to be restored, sentences under six months needs a compassionate justice buying of sex, decriminalising of police, fire and rescue, most recently by tabling are particularly ineffective, and system fit for the 21st century. We recognise the vital work of people involved in prostitution, ambulance and coast guard. amendments to the Scotland we believe in a presumption the Children’s Hearing System and providing long-term Act 2016. against sentences of less than Victims of crime deserve and Children’s Hearing Scotland support and exiting services The problems at police call six months. There should be compassion and support, so in supporting children and for those exploited through centres exposed last year were It is simply not fair that Police more alternatives to custody we will review and reform the young people at risk, and will prostitution. deeply worrying and underline Scotland should be the only and an increase in community- Victim Information and Advice ensure their work continues to how vital accurate information force in the UK unable to based sentencing. Those who service. Losing a family member be integral to the justice system Stopping violence against and intelligence support recover its VAT, and we will have been convicted of serious as a result of a criminal act of Scotland. women and girls is a priority systems are to policing. The work to ensure that the offences and are a risk to the must be among the most for Scottish Labour. We will current absence of dependable exemption is restored to both public should remain in prison. traumatic things that can We will abolish the system of introduce specific domestic end-to-end IT provision is too Police Scotland and the Scottish We support ending automatic happen to anyone. In those Employment Tribunal fees to abuse courts within Scotland’s big a risk for our security, so Fire and Rescue Service, early release for those who tragic circumstances we will ensure that affordability is not sheriff courts so that dealing we will urgently review police IT and that the money saved is have committed the most support people far more than a barrier to workers having with these serious crimes infrastructure. invested in the frontline. serious crimes.

54 A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND 55 is a priority. As part of this addressed to protect our hate crime will be dealt with reform, we will consult and citizens and particularly our using the full force of the law in bring forward a Bill which sets young people. Scotland. We will adopt a zero- domestic abuse as a specific tolerance approach to hate offence. That’s why we will support the crime, particularly that which development of a centre of is motivated by religion, race, Alongside many in Scottish excellence for forensic analysis sexual orientation and gender civil society and prison reform and a database of information identity. Victims need to feel campaigners, we campaigned and intelligence that will help to confident in coming forward successfully to scrap the fill the current knowledge gap and reporting incidents of hate building of the women’s about these substances. This crime – they want certainty that ‘Super Prison’ in Scotland. We will support the development it will make a difference and believe that when mothers are of new treatment protocols that support will be there for imprisoned, the impact is wider and pathways to divert young them. than an individual. people from substance abuse, alongside better education of Our blindness to the dark world That’s why there needs to be the impact of drugs, including of human trafficking - where a new approach to female so-called ‘legal highs.’ Youth vulnerable people are exploited prisons. We will aim to halve work services do a vital job in - needs to be challenged, and the population of women providing that education and the Human Trafficking and prisoners and will implement helping to steer vulnerable Exploitation (Scotland) Act the recommendations of young people away from drugs. 2015 was an important part in the Angiolini Commission on We’ll continue to support them addressing that. Women Offenders. so that young people make the right choices. We will ensure all our Developing our communities are aware of approach to drugs We will ensure that the use traffickers and that there is of licensing regulations can no hiding place for those who This year we have seen a record prevent ‘legal high’ shops from seek to exploit the vulnerable. high in recorded drug deaths operating at special events, We will therefore bring forward which shows tackling illegal such as festivals and concerts, a robust strategy to bring drugs needs a renewed focus and use planning regulations, traffickers to justice, and and action. We will continue to where possible, to manage the bring forward an awareness combat the scourge of illegal presence of those shops in campaign to ensure we can drugs in Scotland through town centres. help victims escape the clutches education and treatment of these gangs. alternatives, while prosecuting Standing up against those who push drugs on hate crime and Scrap the Football Act Scotland’s streets. exploitation The Offensive Behaviour at The abuse of new psychoactive Labour believe that there Football and Threatening substances needs to be should be a clear message that Communications Act was

5656 A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND 57 railroaded through Parliament even though it was opposed by every opposition party and leading anti-sectarianism charities. The legislation has been repeatedly and successfully challenged in court, and criticised by sheriffs, by anti-sectarian campaigners, academics, clubs and supporters groups. It has clearly eroded trust between football fans and the police.

The Football Act is a bad piece of legislation, we will repeal it. Instead, we will tackle sectarianism through education and prevention, working with anti-sectarianism charities, churches, football authorities and fans to develop positive measures to stamp out sectarianism in Scotland once and for all.

UNITY 58 A JUST, SAFE AND SECURE SCOTLAND THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 59 A NEW DEMOCRACY AND A NEW POLITICS

Freeze the pay of government ministers and ban second jobs for MSPs.

We will devolve power to local communities.

Deliver equal gender representation on the boards of public bodies.

Reform the way the Scottish Parliament works to ensure better accountability of ministers.

Rule out a second independence referendum.

Back the UK remaining in the European Union.

We will promote workplace democracy.

Restoring trust in for decades where power democracy based on union politics was concentrated in the representation and collective hands of just a few ministers, bargaining. We want to see Trust in politics is at an all-time civil servants, financiers and workers and trade unions low. The expenses scandal and corporations, and place it back more involved in strategic and now the recent Panama Papers into the hands of the people. operational decision-making. on tax avoidance have shown Decisions should be made, and As a start, we will ensure that RYAN MCMULLAN that too often it’s one rule for services provided, at the most employees are represented, the rich and powerful, and local level possible. through their unions, in an RESTORING TRUST IN POLITICS another rule for the rest of us. adequate and meaningful way, We want to find effective ways on public boards and workplace “Trust in politics is really low today. The Scottish Parliament is 17 years old but it hasn’t changed with the times. There A new approach is needed. to encourage the voices of forums, while encouraging needs to be reform of our democracy to restore the faith of the people of Scotland.” We will involve people in the workers to be heard in the private company boards to do decisions that have an impact workplace. We will build on the same. Ryan McMullan is from Killinchy, and now lives and works in Edinburgh. He is a disability campaigner working with Inclusion on their lives. We will reverse the Fair Works Convention, Scotland and the One in Five campaign, which aims to encourage, empower and increase political participation amongst disabled people in Scotland. the position that has existed encouraging workplace

60 A NEW DEMOCRACY AND A NEW POLITICS A NEW DEMOCRACY AND A NEW POLITICS 61 We are proud that the last We will ensure that there ethnic minority people face individual rights and protect for both sides to move on. Labour Government fought is broad gender equality, to participate in public life. the Human Rights Act. We will The major new powers of the for and created the Scottish and public, community and We will expect every part of right the wrongs for the people Scottish Parliament mean we Parliament. It is now time to employee representation on government to offer internships, denied that basic human right can make different decisions, reform how the Parliament appointments to the governing specifically for Scotland’s to work — a Scottish Labour and act in the best interest works to ensure Holyrood boards of public agencies and disabled, black and minority Government will deliver a full of the people of Scotland by does not have a monopoly on institutions. We will deliver ethnic communities, opening inquiry into the practice of rejecting further cuts to public powers in Scotland, and that equal representation between up experience of public service blacklisting trade unionists in services. We rule out another local communities share power women and men on the boards to people from more diverse Scotland. referendum on independence – ending the SNP centralising of public bodies. Labour backgrounds. during the lifetime of the next agenda. remains committed to gender Labour is committed by the Parliament. equality, fielding more than Without evidence, government decision of our Conference to We will freeze Scottish 50% of women candidates in makes arbitrary decisions that oppose the Transatlantic Trade We believe the UK remaining Government ministerial pay. this election, and will ensure a have the potential to negatively and Investment Partnership part of the European Union is gender-balanced cabinet team. affect the daily lives of Scots. (TTIP) because of its potential the best way to protect jobs and We need to return to the Labour will legislate for a 50:50 We need reliable economic to drive privatisation in public rights for workers in Scotland. democratic, pluralist principles gender-balanced Parliament. indicators and data for sound services and undermine We will campaign for a ‘remain’ of the early Parliament. economic policy, and to provide democracy. vote in the EU referendum on Scrutiny of government is Labour remains committed other governments, businesses, 23 June 2016. critical to making good laws to comprehensive race and civic society with the tools Following a vote at Scottish and ensuring democracy is equality, and will consult with to enrich our national life. Labour Party Conference, transparent. If a party has a all communities and publish A Labour Government will we will make a submission majority in the Parliament, a strategy to break down the mandate the Scottish Fiscal to the UK Party’s National then that party should not also barriers still faced by Scotland’s Commission to independently Defence Review opposing the hold the majority of committee black and minority ethnic scrutinise the public accounts renewal of Trident, subject to a convenorships and should not communities. and income and spending Defence Diversification Agency nominate a Member for the commitments of the Scottish guaranteeing the retention of all position of Presiding Officer. We support the One in Five Government, as part of our existing jobs. We will bring these proposals to Campaign to increase the plan to improve collection and Parliament when it returns. participation of disabled people publication of good quality data Our Freedom of Information in politics. We will ensure rules on the Scottish economy. laws have shone a light into the Serving the people of Scotland about election expenses don’t darker corners of government in the Scottish Parliament is a unfairly disadvantage disabled We will legislate to enshrine and are a crucial check on the privilege. It should be the only candidates and will provide both the United Nations power of the executive. We will job MSPs do. We will ban MSPs further support for disabled Convention on the Elimination extend their scope so that they from holding paid directorships people standing for selection of all Forms of Discrimination include those who take public and consultancies because our and election. against Women (CEDAW) and contracts. politics should continue to meet the United Nations Convention the highest possible standards We will consult with on the Rights of the Child On 18 September 2014 the of openness and transparency. communities to develop a (UNCRC) into Scots law. people of Scotland voted to We will support proposals for strategy laying out how we remain in the United Kingdom. greater transparency in public break down the barriers A Scottish Labour Government We believe this was the right life. that disabled, black and will stand up for citizens’ decision for Scotland. It is time

62 A NEW DEMOCRACY AND A NEW POLITICS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Scottish Labour Party would like to thank the hundreds of individuals and organisations who have met with us, shared their ideas, hopes and ambitions for Scotland. We thank the party members and trade unionists who have argued passionately within Labour’s democratic process. This manifesto is richer for having been informed by your submissions.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of EIS NSPCC Scotland Scottish Renewables Commerce Electoral Reform Society NUM Scotland Scottish Retail Consortium Aberdeenshire Environmental Scotland NUS Scotland Scottish Rural Parliament Forum Electrical Safety First Oil and Gas UK Scottish Seniors Alliance Action for Children Enable Scotland One In Five Scottish Sports Scotland Energy Action Scotland OneKind Association Action on Hearing Loss Engender Our Islands: Our Future Scottish Tourism Alliance Scotland Entrepreneurial Spark campaign Scottish Wholesale ADES EPLS Outward Bound Trust Association Age Scotland Existing Homes Alliance Oxfam Scottish Women’s Aid Amnesty International Fair Funding for our Kids Play Scotland Scottish Working Group on Women Arthritis Care Scotland Families Need Fathers Positive Prison? Positive Offenders ASH Scotland Futures Scottish Young Carers Services ASLEF Families Outside Poverty Alliance Alliance Association of British FBU Scotland Prince’s Trust Scotland Scottish Young Labour Bookmakers Federation of Master Prison Reform Trust Scottish Youth Parliament Association of Film & Television Builders Prostate Cancer UK SERA Practitioners Scotland Federation of Small Ramblers Scotland SharedCare Scotland Barnardo’s Scotland Business RICS Shelter Scotland BECTU Fèisean nan Gàidheal RNIB Scotland Smart Energy GB BEMIS Scotland Field Studies Council Roy Castle Ling Cancer Social Care Alliance Bite The Ballot Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) in Foundation Scotland Blue Cross Scotland Royal College of Midwives Social Enterprise Scotland BMA Scotland Friends of the Earth Royal College of Nursing Socialist Education Breast Cancer Now Scotland Royal College of Psychiatrists in Association British Ecological Society Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum Scotland Socialist Health British Healthcare Trades of Housing Associations Royal College of Speech and Association Association GMB Scotland Language Therapists Solar Trades Association British Heart Foundation Go Run for Fun Royal Environmental Health Institute Spark of Genius Scotland Foundation of Scotland Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Building Societies Grounds for Learning Royal Incorporation of (SEC) Group Scotland Association Health and Social Care Alliance Architects Stonewall Scotland Campaign for Science and Scotland Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Stop Climate Chaos Engineering HIV Scotland Scotland STUC CAMRA Homes for Scotland Royal Society of Edinburgh Student Sport Scotland Cancer Research UK Home-Start Scotland Royal Town Planning Institute Students Association University of the Carers Trust Howard League for Penal Scotland West of Scotland CBI Scotland Reform RSPB Scotland Sue Ryder CHAS Humanist Society Scotland Sacro Supporters Direct Chest Heart & Stroke INCAS SAMH Scotland Scotland Includem Save the Children SURF Child Poverty Action Inclusion Scotland Scotland Sustrans Group Institution of Civil Engineers SCIAF The Brain Tumour Charity Children 1st Scotland Scotch Whisky Association The Co-operative Party Children in Scotland Joseph Rowntree Scotland in Union The Law Society of Christian Aid Scotland Foundation Scotland IS Scotland Christians on the Left Keep Scotland Beautiful Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society The National Autistic Society CIPD Kidney Cancer Scotland Scottish Cancer Coalition Scotland Citizens Advice Scotland Labour Housing Group Scottish Children’s Services The Open University Coalition for Racial Equality and Labour Movement for Coalition The Queens Nursing Institute Rights Europe Scottish Co-operative Scotland College of Occupational Law Society of Scotland Party The Scotland Institute Therapists League Against Cruel Scottish Council for Development and The Scottish Sports Commission for the Provision of Sports Industry Alliance Quality Care in Scotland Leonard Cheshire Scottish Council of Jewish The Woodland Trust Commission on Health Disability Communities Together - Scottish Alliance for Inequalities LGBT Youth Scotland Scottish Council of Voluntary Children’s Rights Community Pharmacy Macmillan Cancer Support Organisations Together for Short Lives Scotland Scotland Scottish Council on Transform Scotland Community Union Marie Curie Deafness TSSA Construction Scotland MCL Scottish Environment LINK UCATT CoSLA Melanoma UK Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol UCU Scotland Council of Mortgage Midas Display Systems Ltd & Drugs Unison Scotland Lenders Minority Ethnic Carers of Older Scottish Federation of Housing Unite the Union Crisis People Project Association USDAW Crossroads Caring MND Scotland Scottish Grocers Victim Support Scotland Scotland MS Society Scotland Federation Which? CSP Scotland Musicians Union Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Who Cares? Scotland CWU NASUWT Problems Women’s Environmental Diabetes Scotland National Centre for Universities and Scottish Labour Students Network Edinburgh International Science Business Scottish Land & Estates Women’s Equality Network Festival National Deaf Children’s Scottish National Parks Strategy WWF Scotland Edinburgh Tenants Society Project YMCA Scotland Federation National Farmers Union Scottish Out of School YouthLink Scotland Educational Institute of Network for Animals Network Scotland NHBC Scottish Refugee Council

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THANK YOUTHE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016 64 65 BOTH VOTES LABOUR REAL CHANGE NOW

Copies of this manifesto are available in large print, easy read, braille and audio formats. Call 0141 572 6900 to request.

Promoted by Brian Roy, Scottish General Secretary, Scottish Labour Party, 290 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4LD Printed by Treehouse Print, Unit 11-12 Castlebrae Business Centre, Peffer Place, Edinburgh, EH16 4BB 68 THE SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO 2016